New Encinitas Group Takes Issue with City’s General Plan Update

Editor’s Note: Citizens for Saving New Encinitas is a recently-formed group that disapproves of the city’s current draft of the General Plan Update, which will help guide land use and citywide decisions for at least the next 20 years. 

The following is a press release from the Citizens for Saving New Encinitas. 

Dismayed by the General Plan Update, a group of concerned citizens have banded together to form the Citizens for Saving New Encinitas (SaveNewEncinitas.com). 

The General Plan Update is the roadmap Encinitas will use for land-use zoning for the next 25 years.  It presently allows for 1,255 new apartment units to be built on El Camino Real between Encinitas Boulevard and Gardenview Road; 847 units along Encinitas Blvd, and 280 on Santa Fe Drive.

Citizens for Saving New Encinitas believes that adding so many new apartments in such a small area will have significant negative consequences for the entire city, including:

• Traffic gridlock on El Camino Real and Encinitas Blvd
• Increased pollution
• School overcrowding
• Lower property values

“The General Plan Update was created by an out-of-town consultant who had little sensitivity to the needs of the local population. Implementing the plan as written will destroy the character of our town,” said Duff Pickering, group spokesperson and New Encinitas resident. “We are particularly concerned that the increased population and traffic will adversely affect daily life along El Camino Real.  We also believe that the General Plan Update will have wide-ranging negative impact on citizens throughout the entire city of Encinitas.”

Citizens for Saving New Encinitas has launched a multipronged effort to raise awareness, including the creation of a website (SaveNewEncinitas.com), writing opinion-editorial pieces, and other tactics.  All are invited to visit the website and find out how they can encourage the Encinitas City Council to amend the General Plan Update to a document that better reflects residents’ wishes.  Visitors also can sign a petition against the General Plan Update.

About the Citizens for Saving New Encinitas

Citizens for Saving New Encinitas is a group of concerned citizens who wish to protect the unique character and beauty of their city.  It opposes the General Plan Update and will not support any elected officials who back it.